MOTORSPORT: The Kenmeri GT-R running at Fuji Speedway, just like it was always meant to

At the 1972 Tokyo Motor Show the most anticipated race car in Japan was unveiled at the Nissan stand. The Hakosuka Skyline GT-R was the most beloved touring car in the country, but its time was coming to an end. Nissan was unveiling the next generation of Skyline GT-R, the Kenmeri, and was so confident of its ability to continue the legacy that it debuted the car in race guise and gold Kobe Seiko 8-spoke wheels. Except, it never raced. However, at the recent NISMO Festival the revived prototype was given a chance to run, just as it was always meant to.

The “73” on the side indicated the year the Kenmeri GT-R was supposed to storm the track. Before it could, though, the 1973 oil crisis happened and Nissan canceled plans to race it. If it had, Fuji Speedway is where it would have done battle. That is why it’s so amazing to see in action, even if modern SuperGT R35s blow past it like it’s standing still. Better yet, legendary Nissan works driver Takahashi Kunimitsu, who would have likely driven one of these beasts, is behind the wheel of the historic machine, slamming through the gears as the glorious S20 sings its clarion twin-cam song.